Inequitable Exposures to U.S. Coal Power Plant-Related PM2.5: 22 Years and Counting.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Emissions from coal power plants have decreased over recent decades due to regulations and economics affecting costs of providing electricity generated by coal vis-à-vis its alternatives. These changes have improved regional air quality, but questions remain about whether benefits have accrued equitably across population groups.

Objectives

We aimed to quantify nationwide long-term changes in exposure to particulate matter (PM) with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5μm (PM2.5) associated with coal power plant SO2 emissions. We linked exposure reductions with three specific actions taken at individual power plants: scrubber installations, reduced operations, and retirements. We assessed how emissions changes in different locations have influenced exposure inequities, exte

SUBMITTER: Henneman LRF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9994529 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature